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Coroners across the country are to be formally instructed to take into account the religious requirements of families when deciding whether to prioritise the burial of their dead, in the wake of a High Court ruling.

The Chief Coroner is drawing up new guidance after two judges ruled that a "cab rank" queuing system for burials adopted by a coroner in London was unlawful.

Muslim and Jewish families had said Ms Hassell's existing policy ignored "deeply held beliefs" that require their dead to be buried as soon as possible. The High Court ruled that her stance was unlawful.

A spokesman for the Chief Coroner said: "The Chief Coroner is aiming to produce some guidance by the end of this month. When he does so it will be issued to coroners and published on his guidance page [online]."

A spokesman for Ms Hassell said: "The Senior Coroner looks forward to the Chief Coroner’s new guidance ... She will then undertake a consultation process with stakeholders, before producing her own policy. This will take into account all relevant considerations including the special needs of each individual family, in accordance with the High Court judgment."